POLLUTION STATUS ASSESSMENT OF
HRISHIDAS COLONY POND, PRATAPGARH
INTRODUCTION:
The water bodies were to be the cheapest and convenient refuse disposal
systems. This tendency has resulted in indiscriminate and excessive loading of waste
matter into the aquatic systems, beyond their capacity of self purification. Normally over
any short time interval in a lake not subject to human influence there is a balance, more
or less between nutrient inflow and nutrient outflow.
In recent times, the faulty developmental policies and mismanagement of
surrounding areas of a lake have resulted. into unprecedented nutrient enrichment of
water bodies causing cultural eutrophication, which is manifested by raised trophic
status, increased rate of sedimentation, loss of water storage capacity, lowered retention
period and deteriorated water quality.
The physico-chemical characteristics of any aquatic ecosystem and the nature
and distribution of its biota are directly related to and influenced by each other and
controlled by a multiplicity of natural regulatory mechanisms. However, because of
man’s exploitation of the water resources, the normal dynamic balance in the aquatic
ecosystem is continuously disturbed, and often results in each dramatic responses as
depletion of fauna and flora, fish kill, change in physico- chemical character etc. Artificial
changes which lead to such ecological responses are referred to as pollution and
pollutional stage may reach a stage when these valuable aquatic resources are no
longer safe for human use.
PROBLEMS:
It was reported that one pond is situated at Rishidas colony, Pratapgarh. The
water quality of this pond has deteriorated due to the surrounding human activities. In
order to asses the water quality and the present scenario of the pond a scientific team of
Tripura State Pollution Control Board visited the problem area and collected water
samples from the pond and analysed these in the laboratory of Tripura State Pollution
Control Board.
It was found that all kinds of waste materials generated by surrounding
residences including waste water of community toilets are thrown into the pond directly.
The area of the pond was approximately 4000 square meters. The south bank of the
pond is densely populated with nearly 300 families. One community toilets is also
situated at this side.
METHODOLOGY:
The physico- chemical parameters of water quality was analysed using standard
methods given in APHA(American Public Health Association).
Tripura State Pollution Control Board
1
PHYSICO-CHEMICAL RESULTS OF WATER SAMPLES OF
RISHIDAS COLONY POND, PRATAPGARH
Sl No
1
Parameters
Date of collection
Average value
30.07.03
Standard (India)
-
2
3
Temperatures (0C)
Total Solid (mg/L)
29
258
-
4
pH
7.75
8.5
5
6
Colour 1/m
Turbidity (NTU)
13.7
84
10
-
7
205
NS
Nil
-
9
10
Conductivity (
Mho/cm)
Phenolphthalein
Alkalinity (mg/L)
Alkalinity (mg/L)
DO (mg/L)
64.79
2.95
6
11
BOD (mg/L)
5.13
2
12
13
COD (mg/L)
Sulfate (mg/L)
17.5
8.45
400
14
15
Hardness (mg/L)
Calcium (mg/L)
53
9.1
300
80.10
16
Magnesium (mg/L)
7.36
24.28
17
18
Phosphate (mg/L)
Arsenic (mg/L)
0.055
Nil
0.05
19
20
Iron (mg/L)
Chloride(mg/L)
Nil
33.75
0.3
250
21
Oil & Grease
80.28
-
8
(mg/L)
Tripura State Pollution Control Board
2
OBSERVATIONS :
Table-1 and Photo plate 1-12 ,incorporates data regarding the visual and
physico-chemical parameters like Temperature, Total solids, pH, Colour, Turbidity,
Conductivity, Alkalinity D.O.(Dissolved Oxygen), B.O.D.(Biochemical Oxygen Demand),
C.O.D.(Chemical Oxygen Demand), Sulphate, Hardness, Calcium,
Magnesium,
Phosphate, Arsenic, Chloride, Iron and Oil & Grease of collected water samples from
Rishidas Colony Pond.
From the table-1 it is seen that the average D.O.(Dissolved Oxygen)
concentration of the samples was 2.95 mg/L. The minimum permissible limit of D.O.
prescribed by Indian standard is 6 mg/L. Observed value is much less than the
standard.
Observed B.O.D (Biochemical oxygen demand) value was 5.13 mg/L but
maximum permissible limit of B.O.D (Biochemical oxygen demand) by Indian standard is
2 mg/L. Observed B.O.D (Biochemical oxygen demand) value is very high compared to
the standard.
Observed C.O.D.(Chemical Oxygen Demand) value was 17.5 mg/L.Colour was
also found slightly higher from the Prescribed standard.
Remaining parameters like Solids, Calcium, Hardness, Magnesium, Phosphate,
arsenic, Iron Chloride and Oil & Grease were found below the permissible limits of
surface water prescribed by Indian Standard.
CONCLUSION:
From the results of water samples study it was found that
the water quality of Rishidas Colony pond was not suitable for the drinking,
bathing and washing purposes. Environmental condition of the pond was not
good due to the continuous dumping of waste materials especially sanitary waste
from community toilets. From the observed values of Dissolved Oxygen,
Biochemical Oxygen Demand and Chemical Oxygen Demand it may safely be
concluded that the Bacteriological Load in the pond is very high.
It is recommended that dumping of all kind of waste materials including
sanitary waste into the pond should be stopped immediately to allow the selfpurification process of a aquatic system to regain its original condition. It will be
better if the pond is given some purification treatment and renovation including
providing fencing around the periphery of the pond.
Tripura State Pollution Control Board
3